Reducing noise in ball valves

Abstract

A component for a ball valve that is configured to reduce noise. The component or “shoe” can install into the valve body, for example, on a downstream side of a throttling ball. In one implementation, the embodiments comprise an annular ring with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is cupped to receive a portion of the throttling ball. The outer surface may have a stepped profile with portions of the annular ring that have concentrically-decreasing diameter. This stepped profile sits in a corresponding recess in the valve body. Welds can be used to secure the shoe in place in lieu of fasteners, like bolts or screws.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve, comprising:
 a valve body; 
 a rotatable throttling ball disposed in the valve body; 
 a shoe resident in the valve body and having an end to receive at least a portion of the rotatable throttling ball; 
 welds securing the shoe to the valve body; and 
 a trunnion plate disposed on at least one side of the rotatable throttling ball, 
 wherein the shoe comprises a cutout that aligns with the trunnion plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe comprises a second cutout which is diametrically opposite of the cutout. 
     
     
       3. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the shoe forms a cupped surface to receive the portion of the rotatable throttling ball. 
     
     
       4. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the shoe forms a cupped surface having a radius that matches the radius of the rotatable throttling ball. 
     
     
       5. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe comprises an outer surface with a stepped profile. 
     
     
       6. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe has an outer surface with a stepped profile that fits into a corresponding stepped profile on the valve body. 
     
     
       7. A valve, comprising:
 a valve body; 
 a rotatable throttling ball disposed in the valve body; 
 a shoe resident in the valve body and having an end to receive at least a portion of the rotatable throttling ball; 
 welds securing the shoe to the valve body; and 
 trunnion plates disposed on opposite sides of the rotatable throttling ball, 
 wherein the shoe comprises cutouts that align with the trunnion plates. 
 
     
     
       8. A valve, comprising:
 a valve body; 
 a rotatable throttling ball disposed in the valve body; 
 a shoe resident in the valve body and having an end to receive at least a portion of the rotatable throttling ball; and 
 welds securing the shoe to the valve body, 
 wherein the welds are disposed on two separate surfaces of the valve body. 
 
     
     
       9. A valve, comprising:
 a valve body; 
 a rotatable throttling ball disposed in the valve body; 
 a shoe resident in the valve body and having an end to receive at least a portion of the rotatable throttling ball; and 
 welds securing the shoe to the valve body, 
 wherein the welds are disposed on two separate surfaces of the shoe. 
 
     
     
       10. A valve, comprising: a rotatable ball; and an annular ring disposed on at least one side of the rotatable ball, the annular ring having: an inner surface that is cupped to receive at least a portion of the rotatable ball, an outer surface that has a stepped profile, and diametrically opposed cutouts in the outer surface, a central cylinder with an inner cavity to receive the rotatable ball; closures disposed on either end of the central cylinder, the closures comprising a through-bore; and welds securing the annular ring to a surface of the through-bore and to a forward-facing mating surface on one of the closures. 
     
     
       11. The valve of  claim 10 , further comprising a valve body, at least part of which forms mating surfaces that are in contact with the stepped profile of the outer surface of the annular ring. 
     
     
       12. The valve of  claim 10 , wherein the welds circumscribe the outer surface of the annular ring. 
     
     
       13. The valve of  claim 10 , wherein the welds circumscribe the outer surface of the annular ring in two places on the stepped profile. 
     
     
       14. A valve, comprising:
 a rotatable ball; and 
 an annular ring disposed on at least one side of the rotatable ball, the annular ring having:
 an inner surface that is cupped to receive at least a portion of the rotatable ball, 
 an outer surface that has a stepped profile, and 
 diametrically opposed cutouts in the outer surface, 
 
 a central cylinder with an inner cavity to receive the rotatable ball; 
 closures disposed on either end of the central cylinder, the closures comprising a through-bore and a recess concentric with the through-bore; and 
 welds securing the annular ring to a surface of the through-bore and to a forward-facing surface on one of the closures, 
 wherein the annular ring fits into the recess. 
 
     
     
       15. The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the welds circumscribe the outer surface of the annular ring. 
     
     
       16. The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the welds circumscribe the outer surface of the annular ring in two places on the stepped profile.